except to people who didn't actually understand why Summers was really in trouble at Harvard and why he was forced to resign. By the time Summers made his now-infamous remark about science and gender he was already in, as former President Bush would say, 'deep do-do.' Summers was greatly and correctly alarmed at the state of Harvard education in the sciences, which, to be kind, is not world class. He was also worried about the obvious and rampant grade inflation at Harvard, where something like 90% of all students graduate with some kind of honors. Summers' greatest sin, however, was to offend the tenured faculty by doing things like suggesting that senior professors might want to interact with underclassmen from time to time. Summers was also in favor of more rigorous production from some of the more famous senior faculty. The fact that Summers is a white male was used as a weapon against him by people like former Harvard Professor Cornel West, who does a better job of acting in "The Matrix" sequels than in writing impressive papers.

I suppose a lot of people, particularly here at Broadsheet, will celebrate if Mr Summers is succeeded by a woman. It won't really matter, though. Man or woman, black or white, Summers' successor will be the standard university non-entity who makes it a top priority to never offend the hyper-delicate sensibilities of the most self-satisfied faculty on the planet.

As a Harvard alum and someone who cares deeply about the university, all this is very troubling to me. Summers was hired because he was someone who could kick some ass at a school that needed [and still needs] a ton of ass-kicking. It turns out that no one was really prepared for the medicine. Summers was often oblivious to the offense he caused to people who had no history of being offended since obtaining tenure, and that was what has brought his career there to an end. I love Harvard and I love liberal education, but I fear for the future of both. Some of the most illiberal people of all will soon be re-taking control of the school. The fact that one of these illiberal reactionaries might be a woman will be of scant comfort to those of us who actually care about the quality of education available at Harvard.

As I wrote, Summers offended some people with his manner. He's not the most socially polished of persons, that's for certain. Especially when he's compared to the average university president, who are usually blessed with an abundance of social polish and a dearth of courage and intellect.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the basic courtesy and respect they [Harvard professors] deserve by virtue of having earned their positions as Harvard professors," though it certainly sounds like something the average Harvard professor would approve of mightily. Harvard professors have received far too much "respect" and "courtesy" in recent decades. They're an arrogant, self-satisfied bunch who regard the simple act of teaching students -- especiall freshmen -- as far beneath them.

No, I'm certainly not more angry at Mr Summers than anyone else. Mr Summers, at least, recognizes that Harvard has a very serious problem and solving it will require breaking some china and offending some tender egos. [Does the Harvard faculty have any other kind?] It is likely Mr Summers should have bestowed a few kisses upon the asses he was about to kick, but at least he was willing to kick. His predecessors were not and his successors will be chosen specifically for their willingness to not.

Hurt feelings don't make me angry. Unjustifiable mediocrity does.

It should be pointed out that several polls showed Harvard students consistently supported Summers. I should also note that my comments about the Harvard faculty apply only to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The faculty of the other schools at Harvard was largely supportive of Summers. It is the FAS that is behind the coup.

"Students don't have to work with a university president. Their opinions are completely irrelevant here."

Wait a mo -- were you one of my professors at Harvard. The resemblance is uncanny.

I have no idea what all that stuff about Omarosa and "The Apprentice" was about, but I'm sure it has little or no relevance to any issue of consequence. Larry Summers did indeed fail to manage the FAS, but to suggest that the fault is entirely with Mr Summers is preposterous and absurd. The FAS is incredibly difficult to deal with. They don't want to be reformed. They don't want to be held accountable. Many don't want to work hard at teaching and many don't want to be held responsible for rigorous research and writing. Larry Summers, whatever his personality-centered foibles might be, is a true intellectual with respect for intellectual endeavor, not cant and faddish nonsense. The fact that one of his opponents declared that Mr Summers' views almost made her faint in horror is a good indication of the sort of minds he was dealing with. It's a tough job.

If managing the FAS amounts to reverting to the previous policy of coddling them, then I suppose Mr Summers was a dismal failure and his successor will be a great success. And Harvard will be poorer for it.